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Service Bulletin No. 362A

Piper PA-24 Comanche 260 · Weight And Balance

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Overview

This document is a Service Bulletin issued by Piper Aircraft Corporation, specifically addressing the installation of rudder balance weights on the PA-24-180, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260 Comanche models. The bulletin emphasizes the importance of this installation to prevent adverse airplane vibration effects, particularly at higher speeds, thereby enhancing safety. It outlines compliance requirements, including a specified time frame for installation and the provision of necessary materials and labor allowances at no cost to the aircraft owner. The bulletin is effective from October 9, 1972, and urges pilots and owners to contact their Piper dealer for compliance arrangements.

  • The Service Bulletin is effective from October 9, 1972.
  • Affected models include PA-24-180, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260.
  • Compliance is required within 50 hours of operation or by January 1, 1973.
  • Rudder balance weights are crucial for preventing adverse vibration effects at higher speeds.
  • Piper will provide installation kits and labor allowances free of charge.

Document

Source

Originally published by docs.northeastcomanche.org. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
Weight And Balance
Year
1972
Pages
2
File size
134 KB
Publisher
docs.northeastcomanche.org
How rare is it?
16Piper PA-24 Comanche 260 registered worldwide

Common. Rarer than 5% of the aircraft models we track.

Documentation completeness
6/7

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In this document

Models Affected

The Service Bulletin applies to the following models: PA-24-180, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260 Comanche. Specific serial numbers affected include 24-1 to 24-3641 inclusive, 24-3643 to 24-3687 inclusive, 24-3642, and 24-4000 to 24-5026 inclusive.

Compliance Time

Owners are required to comply with the installation of rudder balance weights within the next fifty hours of operation, but not exceeding January 1, 1973.

Purpose of the Bulletin

The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to address findings from previous investigations that indicated the need for rudder balance weights to mitigate potential vibration issues in the affected models, thus improving safety during flight.

Installation Instructions

Installation instructions are provided in the Rudder Balance Weight Installation Kit, which is identified by Piper Part No. 760 705. This kit is necessary for the installation process.

Material and Labor Provisions

Piper will supply the necessary modification materials free of charge, along with a labor allowance of two and a half hours for installations performed within one year from the bulletin's effective date.

Safety notes

  • Installation of rudder balance weights is strongly urged to enhance safety at higher speeds.

Full document text

Piper Aircraft Corporation Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. SERVICE No. 36~ BULLETIN FAA DOA EA- 1 Approved October 6, 1972 S Special Note : This Service Bulletin does not supersede or void Service Bulletin No. 362, dated August 14, 1972 but is be considered as a supplement thereto. Note that the PA-24-180 model is also affected by this Service Bulletin. Subject: Rudder Balance Weight Installation Models Affected: PA-24-180 and PA-24-250 Comanche PA-24-260 Comanche Serial Numbers Affected : 24-l to 24-3641 incl., 24-3643 to 24-3687 incl. 24-3642, 24-4000 to 24-5026 incl. Compliance Time : Within the next fifty hours of operation, not to exceed January 1, 1973. Purpose : Further investigation in the areas described in Piper Service Bulletin No. 362, dated August 14, 1972 has shown that installing rudder balance weights on PA-24-180, PA-24-250 and PA-24-260 models will prevent possible adverse airplane vibration effects, thus providing a greater margin of safety at higher speeds. For this reason we strongly urge the installa- tion of these balance weights. Until more information becomes available, the present V ne speeds -- 202 mph C.A.S. for the PA-24-180 and 203 mph C .A .S. for the PA-24-250 and PA-24-260 -- will be retained. Piper will provide the necessary modification material free of charge and two and one half hours labor allowance for a period of time not to exceed one year from the Effectivity Date of this Service Bulletin. This material will be available for general field distribution in approxi- mately two (2) weeks; so have your Piper Dealer order material for you now. Instructions : Contained in Rudder Balance Weight Installation Kit, Piper Part No. 760 705. Material Required : One (1) each (per aircraft) Rudder Balance Weight Installa- tion Kit, Piper Part No. 760 705. Availability of Parts : Your Piper Dealer. Service Bulletin No. 362A Page 2 of 2 Effectivity Date : This Service Bulletin is effective October 9, 1972. Summary: Please contact your Piper Dealer to make arrangements for compliance with the provisions of this Service Bulletin in accordance with Compliance Time, above. Necessary modification material will be provided free of charge and two and one half (2 l/2) hours labor allowance is provided for a period of time not to exceed one year from the Effectivity Date of this Service Bulletin, providing Piper Dealer/Distributor material and labor credit application requirements are met.